# Accident 20030508009409A: Bell 206L4, Aurora, CO, May 8, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 8, 2003, 17:15 local time
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Sfl Autorotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.5999° N, 104.7108° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5999&lon=-104.7108&mi=10
- Aircraft: N70TV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L4
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 13,986 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN03LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA078) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030508009409A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING FROM A TV FILMING BACK TO THEIR BASE AT CENTENNIAL AIRPORT, COLORADO WHEN THE CREW DECIDED TO PRACTICE "ENGINE OUT SIMULATIONS". THIS WAS CONDUCTED BY THE PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT-PAUL SMITH. DURING THIS EVENT, THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT-RICHARD WESTRA PULLED THE POWER TO IDLE AT AN INADVERTENT MOMENT. THIS CAUSED THE DESCENT TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT'S IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AFTER IMPACT, TURNED 180 DEGREES AND THEN ROLLED INVERTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN03LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA078), May 8, 2003: Bell 206-L4 (N70TV), Aurora, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: inadequate infligt planning/decision by the flight crew and the check pilot's failure to initiate remedial action in a timely manner. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's inadequate…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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